Protecting Creators, the Heartbeat of the Internet

Today is Independents’ Day. Over 13,000 creators and their supporters are making their voices heard on Capitol Hill and asking for support in the face of unchecked AI. Raptive CEO Michael Sanchez explains why this moment is so monumental—and what you can do to help protect content creators in this pivotal time.

The creator economy, a thriving sector valued at an astounding $100 billion in this country alone and expected to reach $143 billion by 2030, is more than just a financial powerhouse. It's a vibrant community of independent creators who pour their passion, expertise, and authenticity into high-quality content that enriches our daily lives. 

At Raptive, the creator media company, we have the honor of working with more than 5,200 remarkable business owners who have turned their passion for food, travel, personal finance, parenting, and many other interests into successful businesses through their owned and operated independent websites.

These entrepreneurs face an existential threat from the unchecked rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is being deployed in ways that could negatively impact countless lives and businesses, potentially halving the revenue creators generate from their work on the open web. The time to protect these creators and their livelihoods is now. 

Today, Raptive is making the voices of the nation's creators heard at our Independents' Day event in the heart of power and policymaking in Washington, DC.

We are bringing a group of creators to our nation’s capital to share their stories and discuss the impact unregulated AI could have on their businesses, the communities they have built, and the future of the internet we all know and love. 

While on Capitol Hill, Raptive will present a letter—signed by over 13,000 independent creators, their readers, and their supporters—calling on Congress to act and protect their livelihoods in the age of AI.

We are also publishing The Raptive Report: Protecting Content Creators in the AI Era. This first-of-its-kind national report on the Creator Economy and the threat of AI highlights the sector's importance and outlines the steps that must be taken to ensure its ability to grow and thrive. 

Independent creators are dedicated and determined individuals who build companies, hire teams, and craft meaningful content for their own websites. They are driven by a deep commitment to sharing valuable insights and stories. According to a recent study with Nielsen, audiences find content from creators, like those we serve at Raptive, 50% more inspiring, useful, and trustworthy than social media content. This is a testament to the creators’ authenticity and the genuine connections they forge with their audiences.

The contributions of these independent creators are immense. They generate billions in revenue and support jobs in every state in this country. The internet has democratized content creation and consumption, allowing diverse voices and communities to share their authentic stories and experiences. This inclusive narrative is essential for a resilient and vibrant creative ecosystem.

All of us at Raptive are committed to fighting for this remarkable community threatened by Big Tech's exploitation of creator content to train and implement its AI models. AI technologies are reshaping internet economics by scraping, condensing, and summarizing content—without consent or compensation. While in some cases, AI can offer businesses efficient tools and growth opportunities, it also jeopardizes the livelihood of creators, threatening to disseminate their businesses and harm their families.

Don’t take our word for it: An overwhelming 92% of creators worry about AI’s negative impacts, fearing their hard work might be undervalued or exploited. Public sentiment strongly supports protecting these creators, with 72% of respondents advocating for regulations to limit AI's impact. 

To safeguard the independent creator economy, we are asking our elected officials to work with us on the following:

1. Enforce copyright laws: Protecting intellectual property is paramount to ensure creators retain ownership and control over their content.
2. Encourage revenue-sharing and licensing: AI companies must adopt fair practices that compensate creators for using their content in training AI models.
3. Ensure ethical AI product design: AI-powered search products should not diminish traffic to the original content creators who fuel these technologies.
4. Create a level playing field: Future AI products must not unfairly compete against content creators.
5. Hold Big Tech accountable: Anti-competitive behavior must be identified and addressed.

By taking these steps, we can protect, sustain, and grow the independent creator economy, ensuring it remains a dynamic and integral part of our digital landscape. Our collective support is essential in championing these creators who, in turn, enrich our lives with their diverse voices and unique perspectives.

— Michael Sanchez, CEO, Raptive

#ProtectContentCreators #IndependentsDay2024